Common Myths About Billboard Advertising

Mixed up in the myths of dragons, wizards, and mermaids seems to also be the effectiveness of billboard advertising. I’m not sure who made that mistake, but it’s about time someone cleared up the most common myths and misconceptions about billboard ads.

Billboards have stood the test of time, and in the age of digital marketing, they have grown no less effective in providing extreme visibility and exposure. Actually, they have grown to be even more powerful tools, complementing digital ads and standing out even more in a world where people are always on their phones or looking at screens.

Don’t fall for the myths and misconceptions surrounding billboards; be informed of the true power of these advertising pedestals so you can use them to your full advantage. Though they don’t reach heights that dragons do, they’ll still make your message fly.

Myth #1: Billboards Don’t Work Anymore in the Digital Age

Social media and online ads have given many the impression that billboards and out-of-home (OOH) as a whole are on the back burner and ancient relics. This could not be farther from the truth and can actually be more effective than digital ads.

Our phones are flooded with countless ads, pop-ups, and frustrating game commercials when trying to do anything important. As a whole, digital ads have lost their sparkle, and most people jump to skip them and install ad blockers to bring peace back to their devices.

Billboards and OOH ads don’t have a skip button and are even more noticeable nowadays. Bright digital displays are eye-catching from long distances, creative designs awe and lull crowds in major cities, and subtle messages instill long-term recall and recognition. 

Myth #2: Nobody Pays Attention to Billboards

Everyone pays attention to billboards! Some blend in with their backgrounds, which is just a sign that an advertisement lacks visual interest. This can be said about all advertisements; some are dull, while others are creative.

It’s not about the advertising medium itself; it’s about the creativity of the ad being displayed. Creativity coupled with a long-term ad campaign will allow your message to be ingrained in a specific location and exposed to the same audience daily, a mix unable to be missed.

Digital ads may be inescapable in this digital age, but billboards are still relevant and one of the top-tier advertising formats. They have increased intentional viewership rates compared to social ads and command attention with their impressive size and displays. The last thing that can be said about a billboard is that it’s not noticeable.

Myth #3 Outdoor Advertising is Expensive

We often see luxury brands and mega corporations advertising on billboards and other outdoor displays, giving a reasonable idea that they must be pretty pricey. While true to some degree, as some billboards can cost up to $10,000, most are actually quite affordable.

There are many ad formats that could be a couple hundred a day and even as low as $10 a day. It’s all about the location you choose and how big you want your message to be. Of course, advertising in Times Square in New York City can run you for a substantial total, but the average advertiser isn’t usually seeking such big or costly endeavors.

Advertising on billboards and outdoor displays can be done on a budget while still receiving some astronomical results. Putting your brand on display doesn’t have to break the bank; check out some options for a couple of tried-and-true strategies that can be done with flexible cost.

Myth #4:Only Big Brands Benefit from Billboard Advertising

Mega car dealers, mega supermarket brands, and companies with mega deep pockets are often seen every time we go out for a drive, making them difficult to miss. The fact that we see them so often goes to show they’ve chosen highly visible locations that cost significantly more than billboards others may require.

Big brands are not the only ones that reap the benefit from billboards but are only the ones mostly seen due to their larger budget and prime location picks. Anyone can take advantage of these huge advertising mediums and offer special advantages to small businesses.

They can drive traffic to a nearby location, include a bold call to action, and even simply raise brand awareness. Billboard advertising can be used for anything and by anyone, with the same positive effects. Don’t be intimidated by mega-super-crazy-and-ridiculously-huge-corporations; billboards benefit all users.